I got my KIMBER HS today

[flintski]

Got me a Kimber HS with high mounds and a Weaver Classic 6-24 scope.
I'm in heaven...
Plan on testing it Monday morning, have like 10 different brands of ammo to try. Hope it likes the cheap stuff.
Any suggestions on what to do except just shoot it and have fun. Plan on shooting silhouette this spring and summer.
Hope it is a shooter.
 
Think new guy here...............
flint

[Hornetx60]

If You are not in an area where the temps are at least above 60 degrees don't waste your time and money testing it yet. Wait until spring when it warms up some. If you are in a warmer area try to pick a day when it reach close to 70. and test only at 100 meters. Remeber you are testing the ammo and the gun not you!!. Use a good solid bench and rest. Testing at less than 100 meters will make the groups so much smaller that it may be difficult to tell the differencesin the groups.   Don't always go for the "cheap stuff" ....I guess it just depends on how good you want to be! and How high you would like to finish.

[flintski]

New guy here..... what does the temp have anything to do with it? Don't understand.  It will most likely be in the upper 40's tomorrow.
Can't just seat here and look at it.   :rain:
Thanks for the advice.

[eeleater]

Go shoot and have fun- but what Hornetx60 refers to is correct, and  unless you will shoot at lot on 40 degree days do not go out and buy a case of ammunition based on the days results.  There is a reason they make biathlon ammunition.

Both guns and ammunition can be temp "sensitve".  The ammunition that shoots well in your gun on a 40 degree day may not shoot well on an 80 degree day- and the ammunition which did not shoot well on the cold day may be the best at the 80 degree day.  This can be related to a number of factors.  The most obvious at the powder used, and the lube on the bullet.  

The more "accurate" the gun is the easier it is to to detect variations.  The difference between a groups of 1 inch and 2 inches is much more obvious than difference between 4 inch and 5 inch groups even though the change in diameter is 1 inch is both cases.

The reason to select ammunition lots by shooting at 100 meters is that this is the maximum distance we shoot at, and differences in "acurracy" are most clearly revealed.  Many people assume that if they get a 1/2 in group at 50 meters they will will get a 1 inch group at 100 meters.  The groups will usually be larger, and sometimes much larger.

You will also find a change in elevation settings with a change in temp.
I had to add about 2 minutes of elevation at the rams at a match earlier this month.. This was after my gun was warmed up by sighting in on chickens, pigs and turkeys.  It made me realise that if I want to shoot to my maximum potential I need to bring a thermometer and start taking notes!

I Have "accuracy" in quotes above.  It is the commonly accepted term- but the proper one is "precision".  
If the ammunition all hits to the same point of impact it is precise.  
If the sights are adjusted so the scope or sights indicate that point of impact, the rifle is accurate.
If the shooter accounts for variations is distance, elevation,  air temp, wind force and direction, and can then adjust the sights and hold so the point of impact is on the target - then the shooter is accurate.

[Hornetx60]

Flintski, What eelater said was perfect. go buy some RWS Target and shoot. It is a fairly accurate ammo in most guns. Don't buy a lot of any ammo until you get temps above 70 to do some decent testing. Once you find something you think you want to buy a case of, shoot a 50 shot group and see how many flyers you get from the box. If you have a chronograph run it across it. The testing may be tedious but it will pay off. When you are dealing with a factory chamber you have to fit the ammo to the barrel.
The only ammo that will shoot consistent at this time of the year is biathalon...cold temps is the whole reason why it was made.  
But don't wait for spring start practicing now.

[shootingpaul]

I can only imagine your exitment!!!, last time I went through that I was, I think, 17-teen...................
Temp is very important on the performance of the ammo, and also do not come to any conclusions after shooting your first 10 shots, I usually shoot at least a box to make sure that all fliers had been accounted for and somethimes it is not enough to tell how goood the ammo really is;
go out and try cheap stuff - just so you will not go nutz, but leave the more expensive ammo to try out later, dont worry now why (being a new guy) just listen to good advice, your experience will come with time, and it is good to get in touch with an older shooter for some help in testing, most important in testing is to hold the stock (rifle, gun) the same way through your string - the same way means to put same contact point head to stock and most important the same pressure on it, same hold etc
you will find out (even by testing cheap ammo)  that different hold of your rifle (pressure point and srenght of it) will influence your recoil - hence your point of impact.
Dress warm, take a brick of T-22s and try to bench it....... learn.... learn..
learn how to shoot groups
so when it will get warm you will be really ready to test your ammo and your kimber, and after that you will not be a new guy anymore :-))
you will become an old bag just like the rest of us
good luck and enjoy !

[flintski]

Cleaning the bore, I have heard both "clean after every match"  and "don't every touch that bore, unless it shoots shotgun patterns".
What do you guys do?
And what is the best 22 bore cleaner?
What kind of cleand rod do you use?

thanks

[flintski]

Paul, can you tell that I'm excited about this up coming sport.
 
Does/do the new Weaver Classic 6-24 track well enough to stay on target?
That's what I have on it right now, have SEVERAL scopes that I could sell to  get a premium scope.  Should I just use this scope this first year or go hog wild?
thanks

[chunter]

Congrats on the HS.

You don't have use a cleaning rod on the rifle. All of my rifles are cleaned with  a Bore Snake. I have removed the brush out of each one, and a couple pullls and the rifle is clean. I clean the rifle everytime I take it out and shoot it. Lots of guys won't ever clean there .22's, some will clean only after 500 rounds. You can decide whats best, its all personal preference.

My HS really likes RWS Target, and Wolf ammo.

You can test your Weaver to make sure it tracks well, it should be okay if it is a Weaver.

Are you still shooting at the indoor league in Ogden? Take the rifle down there and the guys can help you get your zero adjusted.

C Hunter

[shootingpaul]

I clean mine when neccesarry - what I mean by that is that having match chambers, sometimes it fdeels like the shell is feeding "tight" thats when I clean it, my 54 MRS factory I clean after about 3000 - 5000 rds, but I always clean my bores before competition, - reson for that that I practice with different ammo then I shoot at matches, and i usually will go through 100 -150 rds before match so the barrel will get well lubbed,(to explain many believe that when you switch ammo you will need 10 - 20 shots to lube the barrel - with the "new ammo lube")
SOME ! shooters do not clean their rifles ever - and one of these dirty guys is Imas - who by the way is one of the top shooters in this sport.

I clean mine with shooters choice, but I heard that the most "corrosion friendly" is Buthers bore cleaner and I bought a big botle but have not tried it yet (still have lots of S-choice), I use nylon coated roads made by DEWEY, and a bore saver - bore guide is a 95% must as it will guide your rod nicely.
as to the scope - I use B&L 4200 and I love them - no problem with tracking and I do not have to TAP knops like the Leopolds guys do, just crank it to the next setting and it is all.
by the way ... new guy......... you worry too much about your setup, you have more than enough to get started with, do not have toooooooo high expectations, because your worry will make you shake like a leaf in the 50 mph wind and you will not be able to hit the back stop -  --- not talking about the targets.
Have fun and enjoy, you need to waste at least a year to get "tuned in"
so do not expect tooo much from your first matches, I would hate to see you leave just because you got dissapointes on your "expected" performance, it is tough sport - and HEY....... when it gets tought ---- the tough gets going

[flintski]

Chunter, yes I am still shooting the indoor matches, was shooting a tuned 10-22T but I think this Kimber is going to be the way to go.  Chuck Mc was trying to talk me into a CZ but after looking into the price and what I needed to do to it, I just couldn't pass up this deal. Kimber, high mounts and a Weaver all put together for just a little more than the CZ.  Beautiful gun, not a mark on it.    Backgound check and taxes add up you know.
I'm very happy with the purchase and I haven't even shot it yet.
The trigger is great for a 2 pounder, still heavy after shooting BPCR with their set triggers, but I'll get use to it soon enough.

Mr Hunter, sorry that you are leaving the state, we needed you up there in the cold country to start a summer program in Cashe county.


Paul thanks for the information  

[chunter]

Keep a close eye on Chuck.  He called me last week just to rub in the fact that he cleaned 120/120 at the 50ft targets.  That new stock he has on the gun seems to have pushed him over the 39/40 hump, let alone letting him hit 120 out of 120 animals. Amazing. He is a great resource if you want to get better. Just stick close and watch what he is doing. Shooting with him will also give you that edge of competition that can really get you break plateaus.

The Cache Valley summer league is still a reality. I will leave it in good hands. It should continue to prosper and grow. We are all setup for the outdoor matches, just have to get it sanctioned.

Shooting Paul is right though, make sure you stick it out.  You may not realize the full potential of that rifle for a year or two. Sounds like you got very lucky with the price of that rifle. Keep it up. Maybe I will meet you, I have been talking to Chuck about making it to one outdoor match before I am gone officially. I will have to see.

Thanks
Casey

[jbeckley]

I'm not much on knowing about temperature changes on ammo or the like, living in Az.  I have a Kimber HS that was an early production rifle that shoots like a house on fire, but unfortunately a few of the guys that I shoot with in the Phoenix area have bought Kimber's and they don't (one guy Ed Slagel, who is the S in HS Precision Stocks, is one of them, He sent his barreled action back 4 times before he got one that would shoot).  

I started shooting Lapua Subsonic HP in my rifle, I must have gotten hold of a good lot#, won't shoot em to good now.  Could never get any of the Eley EPS ammo to work, not even any of the Remington EPS stlye bullets would, Lapua Midas M works great, but it is expensive.  

Have fun with your rifle!  Jim

[flintski]

Well I just had to shoot it, went to our local range, got out the silhouettes, sighted the thing in with WW Dynapoints. Shoot fairly well for the first time out. There was three of us there so we had an informal fun match. Now you got to remember this is my first time at doing this kind of shooting, but the first match had an 11, still playing with sight setting and getting use to a 2 pound trigger. The second match was getting a little bit cooler and the light was going down fast, well I had a 22.  I'm hooked.....can't wait until spring now.  Plan on doing ammo test soon.
Oh, one more thing what is the RIM dia. of most shells. Some where in all the reading I have done lately I have come up with a make shift rim measuring device, goes like this, take a .223 fired case square off the end, cut the case back from the neck about 1 inch, square that off.  Now take your calipers and zero it at that length, then install a 22 cartridge inside and then measure the total which should be like .036 to .040.
Now when I think that doing this will help my shooting that is what i intend to do. Measure and set them in .001.
What do you think, except that I'm CHEAP?
I love this game..............

[Hornetx60]

It's not worth the time you'll spend to separate by rim thickness. If you start with lower quality ammo that is what you will have in the end. I'm not trying to offend you, but ya have to be realistic about this. There are different quality standards adhered to for different lines of ammo. If you want really tight groups you will have to spend money in one of two ways. Either buying fairly expensive ammo...$600 a case and up or you have to have a good barrel installed buy the right gunsmith with a fairly snug chamber that rifling engages the bullet well.  There is no magic to pulling good groups out of cheap ammo. They may happen once in awhile , but then put up 5 or 10 good groups in a row. You just can turn a sows ear into a purse. I would much prefer to shoot less expensive ammo but when you start getting fliers they drive some people nuts. Some shooters don't care and that's fine. It all depends on how serious you are and how tight a group you honestly want your gun to be able to shoot.

[flintski]

The guys over at the Bench Rest forum says the same thing. Buy it and forget the measuring.
Okay, now where do you guys buy your ammo?
and about what cost are you looking.
Got to remember I'm new to this and I'm not going to be a Master class for at least a couple years, ha ha ha :lol:
So I don't think it would be to my advanage to spend $600 a case.  Right, wrong? :wink:
I think the first year or so will be better spent working on my approach to the game, trigger, wobble, stance.

I'm not cheap really, I just can't see going whole hog first thing..........  

[chunter]

Flintski,

As far as ammo goes, the old Win. Dynapoints will be fine for the indoor league and such.  However, it is a different story once you start shooting outdoors at the actual distances.

There is cheaper ammo that will get you along fine.  Such as RWS Target, or Wolf, Federal Target, or even CCI Standard Velocity ammo. I agree with you not to go the whole hog on ammo that you are just going to practice with.  However, for matches it might be good to find a lot of ammo that shoots like fire with no fliers, something that will shoot 1 moa at 100 meters.  Use this ammo for the matches and practice with the cheap stuff.

Chunter

[Jerry G]

I think the responses you have gotten cover most everything but:  Utah needs some more outdoor shooters.  Some observations from that area are in order.  Don't let the match director at Kaysville sour you on shooting.  He realy is a good guy but sometimes he dosn't let it show.  Mackeberry is a good one to watch.  He has the potential of being a national champ if he wouldn't spend so much time worring over the details.  Don't let him mess with your head.  

Good luck with your Kimber.

[flintski]

Jerry,
         To show you how crazy i am, I told McAbery that I would be his number two man this summer and help him with the matches.  Just yesterday we set the dates for the summer shoots and we plan on a state match in June. We are also planning on a week night fun shoot/match.
Poor old Chuck eats, sleeps, drink,  and talks in his sleep about 22 silhouette.
Every other thought from him is "What can I do to help my shooting?"
Apparently you have shot with Chuck and Ron.
hope to seeyou htis year at Kaysville/Fruit Height.
bill flint

[dwl]

Hey!  When do I get a copy of the Utah schedule, Chuck?  You and CHunter started this and it's costing me $$, so I think you guys at least owe me a schedule.  That way I can come shoot and cuss at your range.

Flintski, I'm in the same boat with you as a neophite.  Congratulations.

[flintski]

dwl, from utah.....you're using those big fancy words like "neophite", you mean beginner?  You got it, I'm a beginner, real fresh...
We have a schedule "sought of" "maybe dates" for Kaysville/Fruit Heights hope Chuck don't mind me posting them. Mar 19, Apr. 16, May 21, June 4-5 State 120 round, July 9, Aug 20, and Sept 17th.
C U there.
BillFlint

[flintski]

LOVE this game.
Love my KIMBER HS.
Can't stand a day without feeling Kim up.
Oh, that's what I call my kimber, KIM.
Don't you guys have names for your rifles?
I no i'm crazy.
in like flint